Woman arrested for setting Manchester fires after video is set up

By DOUG ALDENNew Hampshire Union Leader

MANCHESTER - Three suspicious fires within the same block on the West Side led investigators to set photo surveillance, which quickly led to an arrest Tuesday.

Heather Jones, 39, of 415 Granite St., was taken into custody shortly after a fire at 56 Dover St. around 1 p.m. Tuesday. Jones was arrested and charged with one count of arson, then three more counts were added Tuesday afternoon after further investigation, said Sgt. Ryan Grant of the Manchester Police Department.

District Fire Chief Michael Gamache said the surveillance camera caught images of a woman setting the fire Tuesday. Investigators who arrived at the scene recognized Jones, who they said was watching firefighters put out the blaze.

Police charged Jones with setting two other fires extinguished at the same location on April 19 and again on Monday around 4 p.m. There was another fire April 23 at 415 Granite St., where Jones lives.

Gamache said the apartment building and property with the garage share a side yard.